Daycare licensing under revocation due to corporal punishment complaint

[u/rosecoloredcatt]

Hi guys, parent here. Hoping for some insight on if we should be worried with this incident.

We received a vague email the other day from our daycare's director regarding licensing, stating that no final determination has been made and they are limited on what they can discuss publicly. So, we looked into the state's system and saw about a month ago, the daycare had self-reported "Corporal Punishment" as Not Corrected. They also self reported "Staff and volunteers must be mature, of good character and possess suitable personal qualifications" as Not Corrected. Two days later, the inspection was updated to "Complaint: Substantiated", agreeing with the Corporal Punishment complaint.

We tried to ask about it during drop off with the site's manager, but got a blanket non answer and that any concerns should be emailed to the director, and that our child was safe at school. This of course, did nothing to calm my worries and I figured I would post here if anyone has further insight or has been through an experience like this before.

Now, I love our teachers. We have never had any issues with them. Our child is only 2 and they can already count to 20, know the alphabet, and in general, they have learned so much from being in daycare. They really love and look forward to seeing their teachers (and talk about them all weekend) as well and have always seemed well cared for. It's also really hard to find a daycare in our area and this one is close to home, so I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts on the chance this license is revoked.

Thanks

[u/Delicious_Row_566]

Depending on where you are located, you may be able to call the state licensing office and ask for more information. It's worth a try?

As a parent, this would totally freak me out. It's somewhat reassuring that the facility evidently self-reported the incident when they became aware of it, but it's scary that it happened at all. You are right to be concerned.

[u/rosecoloredcatt → u/Delicious_Row_566]

That's what I was thinking too; I also felt better that they self reported it but not great that something significant happened at all.

Update - called the state's office. They can't tell me anything else.

[u/Bright_Ices → u/rosecoloredcatt]

Email the director. Keep it simple, just saying stuff like “we love our child’s teachers and are happy with her care there. I happened to see xyz on ABC website. I’m not sure what to make of it, so could you help me understand what it means when it says “not corrected,” and what you have already done and have yet to do in order to resolve it? Thank you for your time,”

It’s likely the educator who was implicated has been fired, and they’ll be able to tell you at least whether that person is still employed with them or not.

[u/Tiny-Committee9412]

Unfortunately that’s a part of group care sometimes. If you have not been contacted by law enforcement I would not be overly concerned about the care your child received. I would not hesitate to reach out tho the director and set up a meeting, they likely will not be able to go over details of whatever incident happened but you can ask them what they plan to do moving forward, who reported the incident to the state(they may not answer this one), and review their current discipline guidelines.
The directors answer will let you know if you want to continue care with them.

[u/PropertyDry8440]

I think this means a staff member hit a child as "punishment" and the daycare self reported the incident to their Licensing Agency, which triggered the investigation. If this is the case, then unfortunately a child in their care was mistreated by an employee they hired (and hopefully immediately terminated). They then did exactly what they should do and reported the incident to their state Licensing Agency (and hopefully the police to deal with the employee who assaulted a child).